How to Check OpenCV Version in Python

OpenCV (Open Source Computer Vision Library) is a powerful library for computer vision and image processing tasks. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, knowing how to check the version of OpenCV you're using can be essential for compatibility and troubleshooting. In this article, we'll explore different methods to check your OpenCV version using Python.

Check the OpenCV Version in Python

Below, are the methods of Checking your OpenCV version using Python:

• Using cv2.__version__()
• Using cv2.getBuildInformation()
• Using pkg_resources

Check Your OpenCV Version Using cv2.__version__()

The simplest way to check the OpenCV version is by using the cv2.version attribute. This method returns a string representing the OpenCV version. When you run this code snippet, it will print the version of OpenCV installed on your system.

Python3

import cv2

print("OpenCV version:", cv2.__version__)

Output

OpenCV version: 4.9.0

Check Your OpenCV Version Using cv2.getBuildInformation()

Another method to get detailed information about your OpenCV installation is by using cv2.getBuildInformation(). This method provides a comprehensive report containing various details like compiler information, modules enabled, and version.

Python3

import cv2

build_info = cv2.getBuildInformation()
print("OpenCV build information:")
print(build_info)

Output

OpenCV build information:

General configuration for OpenCV 4.9.0 =====================================
  Version control:               4.9.0

The output will give you a detailed overview of your OpenCV installation, which can be helpful for debugging or ensuring you have all the required modules enabled.

Check Your OpenCV Version Using pkg_resources

If you've installed OpenCV using pip, you can use pkg_resources to check the version programmatically. This method is particularly useful if you want to verify the version in a more dynamic way.

Python3

import pkg_resources

installed_packages = pkg_resources.working_set
opencv_version = [
    pkg for pkg in installed_packages if pkg.key == 'opencv-python'][0].version
print("OpenCV version (via pkg_resources):", opencv_version)

Output

  import pkg_resources
OpenCV version (via pkg_resources): 4.9.0.80

This code snippet fetches the version of the 'Opencv-Python' package from the installed packages and prints it out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is It Important to Know My OpenCV Version?

Answer

Knowing your OpenCV version is important for compatibility with other libraries and tools, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring you have access to the latest features and bug fixes.

How to Update OpenCV Version in Python?

Answer

It's a good practice to keep your OpenCV library updated to the latest version to leverage new features and ensure compatibility. You can update OpenCV using pip:

pip install --upgrade opencv-python

Can I Have Multiple Versions of OpenCV on My System?

Answer

Yes, you can have multiple versions of OpenCV installed on your system. However, it's recommended to manage different versions using virtual environments or Docker containers to avoid conflicts.